Circle Waltz (England)

Formation

This dance is best done with an odd number of couples, so that everyone dances with a different partner each time. Join hands in a circle round the room with the gentleman's partner on his right.

Instructions

  1. Everyone step in on their left foot, and simultaneously swing your arms into the circle. Bring your right foot up to meet your left foot, so that you are standing with your feet together.
  2. Step back on your left foot ,and simultaneously swing your arms back to place. Step back on your right foot, so that you return to the same place when you started the dance.
  3. Gentlemen, let go of the lady's hand on your right Pull the lady on your left in front of you so that you face her. Take hold of her left hand with your right hand. Let go of her right hand, and guide her to your right, with your right hand. Gentlemen, the lady who was on your left hand side is now on your right hand side. Take hold of the right hand of the lady on your left with your left hand.
  4. Repeat part 1 to 3, 3 times.
  5. Gentlemen, let go of the lady's hand on your left..
  6. Face the lady on your right. Step in to the circle on your outside foot and swing your joined hands into the circle and then step back to place, swinging your joined hands back again. Step into the circle and swing your joined hands into the circle . Let go of each others hands. Turn away from each other 180°. Take hold of the lady's right hand with your left hand, so that you are now facing away from the circle.
  7. Step out of the circle on your outside foot Swing your joined hands out of the circle and then step back to place, swinging your joined hands back again. Swing your left arm and her right arm out of the circle . Let go of each others hands. Turn away from each other 180°. Take hold of the lady's left hand with your right hand, so that you are now facing into the the circle again.
  8. Take your partner in a ballroom hold. Take 2 side steps into the centre of the circle. ( i.e. Put your front foot forward and bring your back foot up to meet your front foot, and repeat).
  9. Take two side steps out again.
  10. Waltz for 3 bars, keeping your place in the circle.
  11. Join hands again in a circle, gentlemen putting your partner on your right.
  12. Start the dance again.

Calling

  • In, out pass the lady across. (4 waltz steps)
  • In, out pass the lady across. (4 waltz steps)
  • In, out pass the lady across. (4 waltz steps)
  • In, out pass the lady across. (4 waltz steps)
  • Keep that lady.
  • Swing in and out and turn around. (4 waltz steps)
  • Swing out and in and turn around. (4 waltz steps)
  • Ballroom hold
  • 2 side steps in, 2 out again (4 waltz steps)
  • Quick waltz round (3 waltz steps)
  • Start again. (1 waltz step)
 
Glossary